But the other works cause people to open their eyes and ears wide,and men aid to this effect by the great display,expense,and magnificent buildings with which they adorn them,so that everything shines and glitters.There they waft incense,they sing and ring bells,they light tapers and candles,so that nothing else can be seen or heard.For when a priest stands there in a surplice embroidered with gilt,or a layman continues all day upon his knees in church,that is regarded as a most precious work which no one can sufficiently praise.But when a poor girl tends a little child and faithfully does what she is told that is considered nothing;for else what should monks and nuns seek in their cloisters?
But see,is not that a cursed presumption of those desperate saints who dare to invent a higher and better life and estate than the Ten Commandments teach,pretending (as we have said)that this is an ordinary life for the common man,but that theirs is for saints and perfect ones?And the miserable blind people do not see that no man can get so far as to keep one of the Ten Commandments as it should be kept,but both the Apostles'Creed and the Lord's Prayer must come to our aid (as we shall hear),by which that [power and strength to keep the commandments]is sought and prayed for and received continually.
Therefore all their boasting amounts to as much as if I boasted and said:To be sure,I have not a penny to make payment with,but Iconfidently undertake to pay ten florins.
All this I say and urge in order that men might become rid of the sad misuse which has taken such deep root and still cleaves to everybody,and in all estates upon earth become used to looking hither only,and to being concerned about these matters.For it will be a long time before they will produce a doctrine or estates equal to the Ten Commandments,because they are so high that no one can attain to them by human power;and whoever does attain to them is a heavenly,angelic man far above all holiness of the world.Only occupy yourself with them,and try your best,apply all power and ability and you will find so much to do that you will neither seek nor esteem any other work or holiness.
Let this be sufficient concerning the first part of the common Christian doctrine,both for teaching and urging what is necessary.In conclusion,however,we must repeat the text which belongs here,of which we have treated already in the First Commandment,in order that we may learn what pains God requires to the end we may learn to inculcate and practice the Ten Commandments:
For I the Lord,thy God,am a jealous God,visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me,and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me and keep My commandments.
Although (as we have heard above)this appendix was primarily attached to the First Commandment,it was nevertheless [we cannot deny that it was]laid down for the sake of all the commandments,as all of them are to be referred and directed to it.Therefore I have said that this,too,should be presented to and inculcated upon the young,that they may learn and remember it,in order to see what is to urge and compel us to keep these Ten Commandments.And it is to be regarded as though this part were specially added to each,so that it inheres in,and pervades,them all.
Now,there is comprehended in these words (as said before)both an angry word of threatening and a friendly promise to terrify and warn us,and,moreover to induce and encourage us to receive and highly esteem His Word as a matter of divine earnestness,because He Himself declares how much He is concerned about it,and how rigidly He will enforce it,namely,that He will horribly and terribly punish all who despise and transgress His commandments;and again,how richly He will reward,bless,and do all good to those who hold them in high esteem,and gladly do and live according to them.Thus He demands that all our works proceed from a heart which fears and regards God alone,and from such fear avoids everything that is contrary to His will,lest it should move Him to wrath;and,on the other hand,also trusts in Him alone,and from love to Him does all He wishes,because he speaks to us as friendly as a father,and offers us all grace and every good.
